Bears picking up Darnell Wright's option for 2027

As expected, the Bears will pick up right tackle Darnell Wright’s fifth-year option for 2027, a source confirmed Monday.

Because Wright was a first-round draft pick (10th overall, 2023), the Bears had until May 1 to decide whether to extend the option. Wright is expected to make $19.07  million in 2027 before becoming a free agent unless he and the Bears negotiate a new long-term deal. That’s one of the items on general manager Ryan Poles’ agenda before the start of the 2026 season.

Poles is scheduled to conduct his annual pre-draft media session Tuesday.

Keeping Wright was a no-brainer after three solid seasons. Since Poles drafted him, he has played in all but two games at right tackle, starting all of them. He also was a second-team All-Pro last year.

The Bears never have been tempted to move him to the left side, with Poles noting during the NFL Scouting Combine that they preferred he play next to right guard Jonah Jackson.

The Bears view Wright as an integral cog in an offensive line that went from one of the NFL’s worst in 2024 to one of its best last season, with guard Joe Thuney and since-retired center Drew Dalman both earning Pro Bowl nods.

Pro Football Focus graded Wright as the NFL’s 15th-best tackle last year, when only six tackles played more snaps than Wright did.